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DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20191214T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20191214T183000
DTSTAMP:20260506T141300
CREATED:20190224T050003Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191207T042847Z
UID:1627-1576319400-1576348200@www.scnaturalists.org
SUMMARY:Silver Bluff Sanctuary
DESCRIPTION:Silver Bluff Center and Sanctuary\n\n\nAiken County\n\n\nRegional Director: Katherine Boyle\n\n\n \n\n\nOn Saturday\, December 14th we’ll meet at 10:30 AM at Silver Bluff\, an Audubon property in western Aiken County. The preserve encompasses 3\,400 acres of ponds\, grassy fields\, pine woodlands\, and forested bottomlands\, under the stewardship of Audubon to provide habitat for a diversity of native birds. We’ll have about six miles total of loop trails\, plus service roads\, to explore on foot. Bicycles are allowed too.\n\n\n \n\n\nThe Audubon trail map shows the ¾-mile Nuthatch Trail and the 2-mile Tanager Trail\, which features a short boardwalk into a forested wetland. Newly added and not yet on the map is the 3-mile Quail Trail\, starting behind the Education Center and reaching the Savannah River before looping back.\n\n\n \n\n\nThe Quail Trail is a pleasant and easy walk — dry\, level\, and well-marked\, with two or three benches along the way. And yes\, I flushed a covey of Bobwhite Quail from a trailside thicket.\n\n\n \n\n\nNot many plants are in flower at this point in the year\, but the grasses (especially Splitbeard\, Andropogon ternarius) are in their late-season tufted glory. A number of small birds (species unknown) were darting about in this tall grass\, presumably foraging.\n\n\n \n\n\nThe Quail Trail emerges from the woods and fields to meet the Savannah River at Silver Bluff\, where river-dwelling birds such as the Kingfisher are sometimes seen flying along the water’s edge looking for fish. The bluff was named for the shiny minerals that can be seen sparkling in the afternoon sun in the exposed soil of the riverbank. While we’re not likely to find any precious metals here\, who knows what artifacts\, from this historically significant site\, might be eroding out of the bluff?\n\n\n \n\n\nAnother birding spot we’ll want to visit is the Wood Stork Pond. This involves a short drive back up Silver Bluff Road\, to where the sand surface changes back to pavement (lat/long: 33.33751\, -81.84292). Pull off to the right to park.\n\n\n \n\n\nThe Wood Stork\, a species federally listed as threatened\, and other pond-foraging birds are often seen at this impoundment. Bald Eagles\, which are no longer threatened or endangered but always good to see\, are believed to have an active nest near here.\n\n\n \n\n\nDirections to preserve:\n\n\nFrom the city of Aiken (junction of US-78 and SC-19):\n\n\nHead south on Chesterfield St S toward Park Ave SE\n\n\n(0.3 mi)\n\n\nContinue onto Whiskey Rd\n\n\n(1.8 mi)\n\n\nTurn right after AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care (on the right)\n\n\n(17.1 mi)\n\n\nArrive at Audubon’s Silver Bluff Center and Sanctuary\, 4542 Silver Bluff Rd\, Jackson\, SC 29831\n\n\n(lat/long: 33.32427\, -81.84644)\n\n\n \n\n\nAmenities: The Visitors Center should be open for our visit\, so water and restrooms will be available. Two sheltered picnic areas are nearby.\n\n\n \n\n\nDinner:\n\n\nBBQ Barn\n\n\n10298 Atomic Rd\n\n\nNorth Augusta\, SC 29841\n\n\nPhone: (803) 278-7202\n\n\nhttp://www.bbqbarnna.com/index.php\n\n\n \n\n\nDirections to restaurant:\n\n\nHead north on Silver Bluff Rd toward State Hwy 32\n\n\n(4.3 mi)\n\n\nTurn left onto SC-125 N/Atomic Rd\n\n\n(11.2 mi)\n\n\nArrive at 10298 Atomic Rd\, North Augusta\, SC 29841\, on the left
URL:https://www.scnaturalists.org/event/silver-bluff-sanctuary/
CATEGORIES:Field Trip
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